Clause in Haywood's contract could make him 'sweetener' in trade talks

2/16

Brad Loper/Staff Photographer

Dirk Nowitzki / Maverick fans will definitely see Nowitzki back in Dallas next season. The face of the franchise will make $20.91 million in 2012-2013 and $22.72 million in 2013-2014. His contract expires the following season, but for now, Nowitzki will remain a Maverick.

The Mavericks have big decisions to make before the NBA draft June
28, and free agency begins July 1. But no decision may be bigger than
what to do with center Brendan Haywood.

It's been widely speculated that the Mavericks will use the one-time
amnesty provision to remove Haywood from the salary cap. But a rare
clause in Haywood's contract could make that move unnecessary.

Haywood has what one NBA executive called "the best spread provision
in the NBA'' in his contract. In layman's terms, any team that waives
Haywood can spread out the payments for the remainder of his contract
until 2026, according to an NBA source.

That means the team that owns his rights and waives him would be
responsible for no more than $2 million per year over the next 14 years.

That clause in the deal is a huge incentive when it comes to
including Haywood as a possible sweetener in trade talks that are going
fast and furious as teams gear up for the frenzy that will begin as soon
as the NBA finals end. Other teams see that as a very appealing
contract.

On paper, Haywood's contract would appear to be an albatross. He's
guaranteed money over the next three seasons, escalating from $8.349
million in 2012-13 to $9.073 million the following season and $9.798
million in 2014-15. His final season, at $10.522 million, is not
guaranteed.

But the fact that the $27.22 million that is guaranteed can be spread
out over more than a decade, if a team so desires, is a huge advantage
for a team looking for salary-cap protection if they also are looking
for a functional center.

Haywood averaged 5.2 points and six rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game this season.

What the spread provision in his contract allows is for the Mavericks
possibly to use Haywood and other assets to facilitate sign-and-trades
for free agents, which wouldn't further eat into their money under the
salary cap.

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